- Supportive and comfortable front seats
- High quality interior fit and finish
- Body feels solid and rigid
- Pleasing dynamics on even surfaces
- Limited rear seat space
- Ride deteriorates on uneven surfaces
- Not an engaging drive
Overview
Released in February 2005, the Audi B7 A4 and A4 Avant were compact executive sedans and wagons, respectively. Manufactured in Ingolstadt, Germany, the Audi B7 A4 and A4 Avant ranges consisted of the 2.0, 1.8T, 2.0 TDI, 2.0 TFSI, 3.0 TDI and 3.2 FSI variants – the full range is given in the table below.
| Variant | Engine | Trans. | Years | Peak power | Peak torque | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A4 | 2.0 | 2.0-litre ALT petrol I4 | 5sp man., 7sp CVT |
2005-08 | 96 kW at 5700 rpm | 195 Nm at 3300 rpm |
| 1.8T | 1.8-litre BFB petrol turbo I4 | 7sp CVT | 2005-08 | 120 kW at 5700 rpm | 225 Nm at 1950-4700 rpm | |
| 1.8T quattro | 1.8-litre BFB petrol turbo I4 | 5sp man. | 2005-08 | |||
| 2.0 TDI | 2.0-litre BRE/BLB turbo-diesel I4 | 7sp CVT | 2005-08 | 103 kW at 4000 rpm | 320 Nm at 1750-2500 rpm | |
| 2.0 TFSI | 2.0-litre BGB/BWE turbo petrol I4 | 7sp CVT | 2005-08 | 147 kW at 6000 rpm | 280 Nm at 1800-5000 rpm | |
| 2.0 TFSI quattro | 2.0-litre BGB/BWE turbo petrol I4 | 6sp auto, 6sp man. |
2005-08 | |||
| 3.0 TDI quattro | 3.0-litre ASB turbo-diesel V6 | 6sp auto | 2006-08 | 171 kW at 4000 rpm | 450 Nm at 1400-3250 rpm | |
| 3.2 FSI | 3.1-litre AUK petrol V6 | 7sp CVT | 2005-06 | 188 kW at 6500 rpm | 330 Nm at 3250 rpm | |
| 3.2 FSI quattro | 3.1-litre AUK petrol V6 | 6sp auto | 2005-08 | |||
| A4 Avant | 2.0 | 2.0-litre ALT petrol I4 | 7sp CVT | 2005-08 | 96 kW at 5700 rpm | 195 Nm at 3300 rpm |
| 1.8T | 1.8-litre BFB turbo petrol I4 | 7sp CVT | 2005-08 | 120 kW at 5700 rpm | 225 Nm at 1950-4700 rpm | |
| 2.0 TDI | 2.0-litre BRE/BLB turbo-diesel I4 | 7sp CVT | 2007-08 | 103 kW at 4000 rpm | 320 Nm at 1750-2500 rpm | |
| 2.0 TFSI quattro | 2.0-litre BGB/BWE turbo petrol I4 | 6sp man. | 2005-06 | 147 kW at 6000 rpm | 280 Nm at 1800-5000 rpm | |
| 6sp auto | 2006-08 |
Body and dimensions
Although the B7 A4 utilised the same chassis as the Audi B6 A4 , the B7 A4 sedan was 39 mm longer (at 4586 mm), the same width (1766 mm) and the same height (1428 mm), though its wheelbase was 2 mm shorter (2648 mm); the A4 Avant had the same dimensions as its sedan counterpart. The B7 A4 also provided greater occupant protection due to its stronger B-pillars, but was not subjected to Euro NCAP crash testing.
Suspension and steering
As with its predecessor, the Audi B7 A4 had four-link front suspension and self-tracking trapezoidal link rear suspension. However, suspension mountings and the dimensions of the shock absorbers were adopted from the Audi C6 A6 , while the rear trapezoidal links, wheel carriers and front track rods were adapted from the Audi B6 S4 . The Audi B7 A4 also introduced Servotronic speed-sensitive steering and Bosch 8.0 electronic stability control programming.
quattro
Like their B6 predecessors, the quattro system for the Audi B7 A4 and A4 Avant utilised a Torsen Type 2 centre differential which provided a default front:rear torque split of 50:50. If traction was lost, however, two-thirds of the engine’s torque could be directed to either axle. The system also included a rear differential lock – in addition to the front differential lock which was fitted to the front-wheel drive B6 A4 and A4 Avant – which could brake a spinning wheel to transfer torque to the opposing wheel (i.e. cross-axle torque transfer) at speeds of up to 80 km/h. For front-wheel drive models, the electronic differential lock operated at speeds of up to 40 km/h.
Safety equipment
Standard safety features for the Audi B7 A4 included dual front airbags, front and rear side airbags, full-length curtain airbags (i.e. for front and rear occupants), ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, active front seat head restraints and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.
The Audi B7 A4 and A4 Avant were also fitted with a brake disc wiping function and the Bosch 8.0 electronic stability control system which could interact with the electronic differential locks to generate yaw.
Features
Standard features for the Audi B7 A4 2.0 and 2.0 TDI variants included 16-inch alloy wheels, ten speaker 150 watt stereo with six-disc CD player, dual zone climate control air conditioning, leather seats, cruise control, front and rear fog lamps, split and folding rear seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors and an immobiliser.
The Audi A4 1.8T was further equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, while the 2.0 TFSI added automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers and an electrochromatic rear view mirror. The 2.0 TFSI quattro was fitted with firmer, sports suspension.
Beyond this, the Audi A4 3.2 FSI added rear parking sensors and woodgrain interior trim, while the 3.0 TDI quattro was distinguished by its power adjustable front seats and Bluetooth connectivity.
Sport and S-Line packages
The A4 and A4 Avant were initially offered with optional ‘Sport’ and ‘S-Line’ packages. The Sport package included 17-inch five-spoke alloy wheels with 235/45 R17 tyres and sports suspension, contoured sports seats, steering wheel gearshift paddles and aluminium interior highlights. The S-Line package included 17-inch five-‘ parallel spoke’ alloy wheels with 235/45 R17 tyres and sports suspension, contoured sports seats, aluminium interior highlights and an S-Line body kit, including front and rear bumpers, rear spoiler and grid-pattern radiator grille.
2005 A4 2.0 Sports Edition
In July 2005, a limited-run Sports Edition was released of the 2.0 variant. Compared to the standard 2.0, the Sports Edition added a Nokia 8800 mobile phone with a built-in Bluetooth car kit. Visually, the 2.0 Sports Edition could be identified by its colour-coded sports body kit with front and side skirts, rear diffuser and rear spoiler.
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